Fragments

1. Oliver

Oliver

S itting in the back of the bus, I tap my fingers nervously against my leg, trying to steady the unease churning in my stomach.

The hum of the engine and muted chatter barely distract me from the constant thrum of anxiety.

The bus jolts, probably hitting pothole number fifty-five, and I let out a groan, instinctively clutching my stomach as a wave of nausea crashes over me.

The girl sitting a couple of rows ahead of me turns in her seat and gives me a friendly smile. You okay? She mouths.

I open my mouth to respond, but the bus driver decides this would be a good time to hit pothole number fifty-six, so instead of words I let out a small grunt.

This bus driver is really starting to piss me off.

Like dude, you drive this road every day; you’re really gonna tell me you’re unable to dodge at least a few?

He’s either blind or gets some sort of satisfaction from making everyone else on the bus suffer.

Bus girl lets out a snort, and my eyes snap away from where I was glaring at the back of the bus driver’s head, to meet her gaze. She has her hand covering her mouth, but the slight shake of her shoulders shows she is trying really hard to hide her laughter.

I groan – this time out of embarrassment – and give her a sheepish smile. She totally knows I was plotting the bus driver’s death. I give her a thumbs up, because why not make this moment even weirder, before pulling the hood of my hoodie over my eyes to hide in shame .

It’s not even the bus or its driver, making me feel so on edge. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely not helping, but it’s my plans for the evening that have me spiraling.

Ferality, a nightclub in downtown Asheville, was hosting its yearly Spotlight event.

Thousands of artists submitted audition tapes, hoping to get a spot in tonight’s lineup.

A few big names were discovered while performing at Ferality, and while there’s no guarantee any reps would be in attendance, performing here is a huge step forward if you’re trying to break into the industry.

I made an audition tape on a whim, never thinking for a second I would get a callback.

“Good morning, am I speaking to Oliver Fritz?”

“Uh, yeah. This is Oliver.” Dammit! I should have checked the caller ID before answering. Now I’ll be stuck on my phone for five minutes, while some underpaid employee tries to sell me their latest product. “Listen, I’m running late for school, so I can’t really talk right now.”

“I just need two minutes; trust me, you’ll want to hear this, kid.” A chuckle comes through the line. “My name is Daniel Nash; I’ve been going through the audition tapes this morning and was very delighted when yours popped up. We would love to -”

His voice cuts off as I pull the phone off my ear to stare at the screen. I really should have checked the caller ID; it would have stopped me from telling one of the managers at Ferality that I had to leave for school.

Good job Oliver.

“Oliver? Are you still there dude? ”

“Y-Yes!” I bring the phone back to my ear. “Sorry, could you please repeat that last part?”

“We watched your audition tape, and we would love to have you perform at our Spotlight event next month. You in or out Oliver?”

“I’m in.” I gasp out. “Wait I got in? You’re not fucking with me?’

He barks out a laugh. “Nope, not fucking with you kid. I’ll email through all the details before the end of the week. You got some talent, dude, I can’t wait to hear you perform. Gotta go!”

Click.

Pothole number fifty-seven - or was that fifty-eight?

- snaps me out of the memory. I was so excited after that call that I had to pinch myself numerous times over the last month, just to be sure it wasn’t all a dream.

This isn’t my only shot at making it in the music industry.

I’m not that dramatic, but if things go well tonight, I could start this journey sooner rather than later.

Can I do this? I don’t know anymore. I was still feeling positive this morning, but now…

The closer the bus gets to Asheville, the less sure I am. I’ve never been a confident guy, I’ve never even performed in front of anyone before. Now in one night, not only do I need to grow a backbone, I have to perform in a fucking club full of people.

Nope, can’t do it. Fuck this. I need to get off at the next stop.

“Scoot over.”

I look up to find bus girl standing in front of me, hands on her hips, one eyebrow raised.

“Huh?” Smooth dude .

She huffs. “You gonna scoot over or do I have to do the walk of rejection back to my seat? I would prefer not to, the guy sitting next to me was being a creep.”

That gets my attention. I slide over, and she drops down next to me. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be silly,” She laughs, the sound melodic. “Wanna talk about what’s freaking you out? Tell me to fuck off if it’s none of my business, but I couldn’t stop myself from checking up on you. You look like you’re in pain, and the urge to comfort you was strong.”

I open my mouth to say… something. I’m at a loss here. Do I tell her to mind her own business - nicely, of course - or take her up on her offer and get everything off my chest? She’s sitting there, waiting for me to answer, and I’m staring at her with my mouth wide open.

You can’t even speak to a cute girl on a bus, how are you going to manage performing in front of a crowd?

A look of understanding crosses her face. “No talking.” She whispers before grabbing her backpack and pulling out her phone and earbuds. She held one out to me. “You need to get out of your head. Wanna listen to some music with me? It helps me when the voices in my head become too much.”

All I can do is nod as I reach for the earbud. I pop it in my ear and give her a look, one that I really hope shows how thankful I am for this. Music does help; I was dumb not to think of it myself before I spiraled.

“Any requests?” I shake my head no, curious to hear her taste in music, She scrolls for a couple of seconds before pressing the play button. Popular Monster by Falling In Reverse starts playing in my ear .

I reach over and squeeze her hand, a silent thank you. I try to pull away, but she wraps her fingers through mine, holding on tight.

We sit, holding hands, for the next thirty minutes, listening to music together.

A lot of my favorites play, along with a few I’ve never heard before, but definitely plan to add to my mix.

We don’t speak, but we also don’t have to.

I have a feeling we just connected on a level that not many people could possibly understand.

She didn’t have to help a stranger on a bus, but she did because she recognized the terror I was feeling.

Bus girl – I really need to find out her name – had passed out at some point during the ride. She had her head resting against my shoulder, snoring softly, and I couldn’t help but feel a little joy knowing she felt comfortable enough around me to fall asleep.

The bus jolts to a stop, having reached our destination, and I give bus girl a small shake to wake her.

“We’re here,” I murmured softly, and I watched as she blinked slowly, clearly trying to get her bearings after just waking up. After a couple of seconds, she meets my eyes, and I’m caught off guard. Holy shit!

The bus had been darker before, but now, with the lights turned on for people to get off safely, I get my first real look at her eyes. They were gray, not cold like a storm, but soft, like morning mist over quiet water, and I swear, I could have drowned in them willingly .

“I’m sorry,” her voice is husky from just waking up. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep all over you. Wait, why are you looking at me like that? Was I snoring? Oh shit, do I have drool all over my face?” As she rambles on, a deep red blush takes over her neck and cheeks.

I bark out a laugh at the adorable little mess in front of me. “Calm down bus girl, no snoring and no drool, I promise.” Small lie, she was totally snoring.

She wrinkles her nose before shooting me a glare. “Bus girl? Ew, I don’t like you calling me that.”

Now, it’s my turn to blush. “I didn’t know what else to call you,” I confess, scratching the back of my neck. “I would love to call you by your actual name if you feel like sharing. I’m Oliver.”

“I’m Sa-”

“Hey, kids!” I curse under my breath and turn to see the bus driver glaring at us from the front of the bus. “You guys getting off? I’m about to let the new group of people on and you’re wasting my time.”

“Sorry,” Bus girl says quickly, grabbing her stuff. I just managed to grab my guitar case before she grabbed my hand and started pulling me to the exit. I realize then that like her holding my hand.

It’s early Spring but nights are still cold, and we’re greeted by an icy breeze when we step off the bus.

“Do you have anything warmer to wear in your bag?” I asked bus girl.

She’s wearing a thin denim jacket over black tights and an oversized shirt. Looking at it closely I see it has the dates of a Bon Jovi tour printed on it. “Also please tell me your name. I can’t keep calling you bu- ”

She covers my mouth with her small hand and giggles. “I’ll stab you if you call me that one more time, don’t test me. It’s Savannah, but please call me Savvy.”

“Savvy,” I let the name roll across my tongue. “Did your parents name you that because of your hair?” I gesture towards the messy bun on top of her head, her hair is a vivid tapestry of fiery red and deep auburn.

She blushes, instinctively touching her hair.

“My dad did a sh-,” she cuts herself off. “My dad was down in South Africa for work, he spent a few days in one of the game reserves down there and fell in love with it. When I was born, my hair reminded him of a sunset across the Savannah, hence the name.”

“It’s a beautiful name.” For a beautiful girl. I don’t say the last part out loud. “So Savvy, you didn’t answer my question. Please tell me you have something warmer to wear.”

“Uhh…. I have something warmer to wear in my bag?” Savvy smirks up at me, rolling her eyes.

I let out a growl. “Are you being sassy with me right now Savvy? Do you want to try that again, or do I have to spank the truth out of you?” My eyes widen as I realize what I just said, a huge flush creeping up my neck.

What the fuck?

Savvy fought to keep a straight face, but I could see the laughter dancing in her eyes. I open my mouth to apologize, but she cuts me off.

“Don’t you dare apologize to me right now Oliver. That was sweet… in a kinky sorta way. It’s also completely natural for an Alpha to react that way, your designation basically forces you to look out for th ose weaker than you.” She goes quiet for a second. “Well, the good Alphas, anyway.”

“How did you know I was an Alpha?”

“Pfft, besides the cute growl? Have you seen yourself?” She gestures up and down my body. “You’re tall, all muscly, and sexy as sin. I almost climbed into your lap on the bus.” Her hands fly to her mouth. “Oh my God I didn’t just say that last part.”

I can’t help it; my chest puffs out in pride at the compliment but deflates just as fast. The Alpha in me is pleased, but I know she’s just saying all of this to be nice. “There is nothing hot about me,” I say the words before I can stop myself.

“I disagree.”

“Well. you’re wrong,” I yank my hoodie off with a swift motion, the worn fabric slipping over my head and off my shoulders. “Arms up.” Arms up? Who even am I right now?

Savvy is right about one thing, my Alpha is riding me hard to look after her, something I have never experienced before.

“I’m going to drown in that,” She points at my hoodie. “You’re basically a foot taller than me, I’m going to look silly.”

“I’m six foot three,” I smirk down at her, having recovered some of my confidence. “Also, the shirt you’re wearing is way too big for you, so I doubt you mind baggy clothes.”

She actually stomps her foot on the ground, and I can’t help finding her little tantrum adorable.

“Arms up,” I give her a no-nonsense look. “Last time I asked Savvy.” “This really isn’t necessary,” she mutters under her breath, but still raises her arms, letting me slide the hoodie over her head. “I’m going to a club close by, I would have been fine - oh wow. ”

Savvy brings the collar to her nose and inhales deeply, her eyes closed as she takes in my scent. I start to freak the fuck out, I think I washed it a couple of days ago, but now I’m not too sure. I open my mouth to apologize but she continues before I get the chance.

“This smells amazing Oliver,” she takes another sniff and nuzzles the fabric against her cheek. An adorable little sigh escapes her lips. “Seriously, what laundry detergent do you use? I need it.”

Huh? I can’t help but wonder what exactly is captivating her about the smell—my hoodie’s familiar scent has always been just that, mine. “What does it smell like?”

“Like home,” She looks up at me and quickly continues. “This is going to sound dumb, but it smells like banana bread straight out of the oven.”

“It’s not dumb at all, Savvy,” I tell her gently.

She groans, hiding her face behind her hands. “My dad was useless in the kitchen, but he knew how to make the perfect banana bread. It smells like Sunday mornings at home.”

I pulled her into me, instinctively knowing she needed a hug.

She feels so good pressed up against me, almost like she belonged there.

The way she is clinging to me as if I were a lifeline, made me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling, but fuck, what’s right.

I just met Savvy, and I already know she is someone I want to know.

The moment comes to an end when the alarm goes off on my phone.

I only have my set in about an hour, but I have to be there forty-five minutes before to check in.

“Where are you heading?” I ask her, gently pulling away.

“I have to be somewhere in fifteen minutes, but I can be a little late. I don’t feel comfortable letting you walk somewhere on your own. ”

“Such an Alpha,” She shakes her head at me, but I can see the smile forming on her lips. “I’m heading to Ferality, same as you I’m guessing.” She cocks her head in the direction of my guitar case.

“No shit?” I feel a moment of happiness flow through me, knowing I get to spend more time with her. That evaporates just as fast when I realize she will be around to see me perform. My stomach churns, and I let out a groan.

“Are you okay? You look a little green.”

“Yep. Just great thanks.”

She giggles again, the sound easing some of the discomfort. “Are you performing tonight?”

“I am, and as you can clearly see, I’m terrified.”

She grabs both my hands and gives them a squeeze. “You got this Oliver.” She then surprises the shit out of me by stretching upwards and planting a kiss on the side of my mouth.

“Let’s get going.” She whispers before dragging me down the street.